Make your Bananas last longer

When you buy bananas, break them apart from the bunch when you get home!

Bananas ripen faster when they are attached together in a bunch.

Singular bananas will last longer before getting brown and mushy.

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Perfect Orange Julius at home! (There IS a secret!!)

Remember going to the mall as a kid and getting those wonderful Drinks from Orange Julius?
I would go home and mix Orange Juice with Milk and sugar trying to get the same taste.
It never ever worked!

I would end up with curdled milk-chunks in Orange Juice....
ummm YUCK!

I have finally figured out the secret to the perfect copy-cat version you can make at home!!

Creamsicle in a Glass
Orange Julius (Copy cat)

Ingredients

• 2 cups orange juice
• 1 cup Lemon/Lime Soda
• 3 Tablespoons powdered coffee creamer
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 20'ish ice cubes
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 peeled orange (optional)

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a blender.
2. Blend until there are no more ice chunks.
3. Serve over ice.
4. ENJOY!!

Makes 2 large glasses

**TIPS**
Do NOT substitute milk for the creamer... the acid in the OJ will curdle the milk.. yuck!

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Perfect Sweet Tea

Sweet Tea...
 Just hearing those words make ya sigh a satisfied sigh...

I am a Southern Woman... 

Southern women love their Sweet Tea...

And... I have been told I make the BEST Sweet Tea in Texas!

I'm gonna let you in on my little secret. 
Follow this simple recipe, and your life will be complete!


When I was in High School, I worked at a little Steak House in Texas City Texas called "Lone Star Steaks" 
The Lone Star was known for miles and miles around for two things....
They had this amazing Green Olive, Tomato, Vinegar & Oil  "House" salad dressing stuff. 
(Oh Man!! How I wish I knew that recipe!!) 
And... We made the Smoothest, Most Amazing, Last-Meal-Worthy, Sweet Tea in the South!

I'm not kidding! 
The local police officers would stop by several times a shift to fill their thermos with what they called  "Nectar of the Gods". 
People actually tried to bribe me for the secret to the Perfect Sweet Tea. 

I never gave it up. 

I never told. 

I was a good employee. 

Well, Guess what?!? 
Love Star Steaks closed a few years ago! 
So, I'm thinkin it's now ok to share the super-duper-secret recipe!! 


There IS a small "secret" ingredient in this Tea.
It removes all bitterness and creates a smooth, clear amazing Tea!

Ready?? 
Here goes!

Perfect Sweet Tea. (makes 1 gallon)
(Adapted from the Lone Star Steak House)


Ingredients -
5 - 8  Family size Tea Bags. (or 12 regular Tea Bags) 
                    ( I prefer  #1 Luzianne or  #2 Liptons Brand Teas.)
1 Quart  (4 Cups) - Boiling Water
3 Quarts (12 cups) - Cool Water
1 1/2 - 2 (one & a half) - Cups Sugar. 
1/4 teaspoon - Baking Soda (this IS the SECRET Ingredient!!)


Directions - 
1.  Sprinkle baking soda into a pitcher (I use a gallon-size Mason Jar but many people have voiced concerns about pouring boiling water into a glass container, so use whatever container you'd like)
      Add Tea bags to the pitcher/baking soda,  
      Pour Boiling water over tea bags, 
      Cover and allow to steep for 15 minutes.
                    ~*~
2.  Remove and toss out Tea Bags,
     Add Sugar and Stir until completely dissolved. 
     Add Cool Water.
     Refrigerate until cold and ready to drink.
                     ~*~
3.  Serve over ice, 
     Take a nice long sip.
     Swoon.
     Repeat. 


Ya'll Enjoy!!

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Taste of Summer Salad (re-do)

Several years ago, my spoiled rotten little sister attended college in Arkansas.
My mother and I went to visit her.
While we were there, we stopped at a restaurant called "The Market Place", I ordered what may possibly be the BEST salad I have ever eaten!

It had chicken breast, fresh strawberries, roasted pecans, water chestnuts, & spinach.
The dressing was a blueberry dressing.
It was wonderful!

I loved this salad so much that I made my poor mother smuggle an ice chest full of salad home on the plane each time she would visit my sister.

I have tried and tried to replicate this salad.
I managed to make some pretty darn tasty salads, but they were not quite right.
UNTIL NOW!
As a matter of fact...
I think mine is better!

Dana's "Taste of Summer" Salad

• Chicken breast, or breast tenderloin, grilled.
  
• 1 lb spinach (I like baby spinach)
• 1 pint strawberries, sliced
• 1 small can mandarin orange sections. (drained)
• 1/2 cup pecans or cashews, toasted
• 1 can water chestnuts, sliced (optional)
• Blue Cheese or Feta cheese, for sprinkling

Dressing

• 1/3 cup raspberry vinegar (or balsamic vinegar)
• 1/3-1/2 cup sugar or sugar substitute
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/4-1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup blueberries (Frozen work great!)

Directions

1. Grill your chicken breasts or tenderloins, set aside to cool slightly.
   
2. Toast nuts in a pan over low heat, set aside to cool.
3. Combine all the dressing ingredients EXCEPT blueberries, in a blender and blend well.
4. Add thawed or fresh blueberries to the dressing and pulse to combine. set aside.
5. Arrange salad ingredients on plates, drizzle with dressing and serve immediately.
6. ENJOY!
   
   
   

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